A method of preventing or minimizing trespassing of a hunting tree stand and an apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A method of preventing or minimizing trespassing of a hunting tree stand and an apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/097,971, filed Apr. 13, 2016, which claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/147,301, filed on Apr. 14, 2015.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present application relates to a method of preventing or minimizingtrespassing of a hunting tree stand and an apparatus therefor.

2. Background Information

Background information is for informational purposes only and does notnecessarily admit that subsequently mentioned information andpublications are prior art.

Hunters, during the off-season, usually for hunting deer, stake outlocations where deer usually move through the landscape and/or forest,which requires a great deal of effort and time. Occasionally, anotherhunter will see the tree stand which the original hunter hasconstructed. The other hunter will then use the tree stand and oftenkill the deer that the original hunter had located the paths therefor.

Since a hunter who has constructed a tree stand for his own use in orderto be able to hunt the quarry such as deer, has done so at great effortand expense, the hunter does not want another hunter to trespass on histree stand and hunt the quarry. Therefore, the original hunter isdesirous of preventing or at least minimizing the ability of anotherhunter to use the original hunter's tree stand to shoot the quarry,which the original hunter took so much time and effort and expense toconstruct.

In addition, many hunters often store hunting devices, such as rifles orbows, and/or accessories, such as cameras or binoculars, and/or otherpersonal items, such as wallets or cell phones, in a tree stand duringor between hunting outings. These valuable items can be targets of theftby trespassers. Further, the tree stand itself is usually a relativelyexpensive item, and it is not uncommon for trespassers to steal the treestand from out of the tree.

SUMMARY

Therefore, the applicant wishes to provide a structure to prevent or atleast minimize access to an original hunter's tree stand by a second orother hunter. The structure also can minimize or prevent theft of itemsin the tree stand, or theft of the tree stand itself, by other persons.Also, structure to be added to the tree stand arrangement could besufficiently portable to the carried into the woods by a hunter.

The above-discussed exemplifications of the present invention will bedescribed further herein below. When the word “invention” or“exemplification of the invention” is used in this specification, theword “invention” or “exemplification of the invention” includes“inventions” or “exemplifications of the invention”, that is the pluralof “invention” or “exemplification of the invention”. By stating“invention” or “exemplification of the invention”, the Applicant doesnot in any way admit that the present application does not include morethan one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintainsthat this application may include more than one patentably andnon-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that thedisclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and,in the event that there is more than one invention, that theseinventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to theother.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the anti-trespassing apparatus according to one possibleexemplification of the present application;

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the anti-trespassing apparatus disposed on aperson's back;

FIG. 3 shows the back of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 shows a hasp on the doors of the apparatus in a closed position;

FIG. 5 also shows the apparatus of the present application disposed on atree;

FIG. 6 shows the front doors of the apparatus; and

FIG. 7 shows the apparatus secured to a tree.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLIFICATION OR EXEMPLIFICATIONS

FIG. 1 shows the apparatus 1 for preventing or at least minimizing theprospect of a trespassing hunter using an original hunter's tree stand.In order to facilitate the carrying of the tree stand anti-trespassingapparatus 1, two straps 2 are fixed to one side of the anti-trespassingapparatus 1. FIG. 4 shows a close up view of doors 4, which are alsocalled front doors and are visible in FIG. 1 with hinges 6. In FIG. 4 ahasp 3 is closed so that a padlock can be used to lock the front doors 4of the anti-trespassing device 1 together to substantially prevent atrespasser from accessing the rungs contained therein, and thus minimizeor prevent a trespasser from accessing a tree stand on which theanti-trespassing apparatus 1 is mounted in association with the treestand.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the anti-trespassing apparatus 1 disposed onthe back of a person. As can be seen in FIG. 2, there are also doors 5,also called back doors, on the back of the anti-trespassing apparatus 1,in order to further minimize the ability of a trespassing hunter todefeat the anti-trespassing apparatus's function. The doors 5 on theback of the anti-trespassing apparatus 1 are about half the overallheight of the anti-trespassing apparatus 1, such that the doors 5 blockaccess to at least the lowest rung inside the anti-trespassing apparatus1. The doors 5, in one exemplification, could also be longer, such assimilar to the length of the doors 4, so that they extend higher on theback of the anti-trespassing apparatus 1, and thus enclose even morerungs to increase the ability of the anti-trespassing apparatus 1 toprevent a trespasser from using the back of the anti-trespassingapparatus 1 to defeat the anti-trespassing apparatus's function.

FIG. 3 shows the back of the anti-trespassing apparatus 1 with the framestanding vertically from the floor.

FIG. 5 shows the anti-trespassing apparatus 1 connected to two climbingsticks 53 and installed on a tree 50. The anti-trespassing apparatus 1has a central member 10 that extends along the length of and partlyprojects below the major portion or cabinet-like portion of theanti-trespassing apparatus 1. The climbing sticks 53 are shown above andbelow the anti-trespassing apparatus 1. The climbing sticks 53 are madeup of a central rod 55, transverse climbing rungs or pegs 52, and atleast one angled piece 12. The central rod 55 of the upper climbingstick 53 is connected to an upper end (not shown) of the central member10, and central rod 55 of the lower climbing stick 53 is connected to alower end of the central member 10. As seein in FIG. 3, another angledpiece 12, like the angled piece 12 shown in FIG. 5, is welded to thecentral member 10 of the anti-trespassing apparatus 1. The angled pieces12 are designed to rest against the tree 50, to thereby steady both theclimbing sticks 53 and the anti-trespassing apparatus 1 when positionedagainst the tree 50 in which a tree stand is installed. A strap 13 isalso shown which holds or helps secure the lower climbing stick 53 tothe tree 50, which also helps secure the anti-trespassing apparatus 1 tothe tree 50. The strap 13 may be made of cloth or leather material,which may be reinforced with metal or similar fibers, or made ofmetallic material. The strap 13 may include a portion that permits theuse of a padlock to lock the anti-trespassing apparatus 1 to the tree50.

FIG. 6 shows the front doors 4 of the anti-trespassing apparatus 1 in anopen state. The back doors 5 are closed during the time when theanti-trespassing apparatus 1 is locked so that a trespasser cannoteasily use the bars which are the means of accessing the tree stand fromthe anti-trespassing apparatus 1. If the back doors 5 are locked, it isdifficult for someone to use the anti-trespassing apparatus 1 to accessthe tree stand. The anti-trespassing apparatus 1 is secured to the tree50 with a strap 16. The strap 16 holds the anti-trespassing apparatus 1to the tree and, is constructed and positioned so that someone with aknife cannot easily cut the strap 16 or loosen the strap 16 from theanti-trespassing apparatus 1. Straps like the strap 16 may be reinforcedwith metal wire so that someone with a knife cannot easily cut the strap16 or loosen the strap 16 from the tree. An alternative attachmentmechanism could also be used to very securely attach or connect theanti-trespassing apparatus 1 to the tree. The frame of theanti-trespassing apparatus 1 is visible, which frame, in the embodimentshown in FIG. 6, includes two long members 62 and three shorter members61, which shorter members 61 serve as rungs of a ladder to permitclimbing. The central member 10 (see FIG. 5) is completely visible, andis essentially a third long member of the frame connected to the shortermembers 61 and positioned between the two long members 62.

FIG. 7 shows a holding device 15, such as a bungee strap, which isattached to the doors 4 to keep them open when a hunter wishes to accesshis tree stand. In this manner the front doors 4 can be held open sothat the hunter can easily climb up and down without concern of one ofthe front doors 4 swinging shut or being blown shut by wind. The holdingdevice 15 keeps doors 4 from flapping or moving, which could be unsafefor a person climbing up or down, and which could make an undesirednoise that could frighten away game to be hunted.

When using an installed anti-trespassing apparatus 1, the hunter unlocksa lock that is locking the front doors 4 shut. If the back doors 5 arealso locked, the hunter unlocks the back doors 5 as well. The back doors5 are normally locked or bolted or clasped so that a trespasser cannotclimb up the lower rungs and then move his leg around to the back of theanti-trespassing apparatus 1 to place his feet on the rungs locatedbehind the front doors 4 and inside the anti-trespassing apparatus 1. Inother words, the rungs inside the anti-trespassing apparatus 1 can becompletely enclosed by both the front doors 4 and the back doors 5 sothat a trespasser has no access to these rungs. Once both the frontdoors 4 and the back doors 5 are unlocked, the back doors 5 can bepushed back away from the rungs inside the anti-trespassing apparatus 1.The tree 50 prevents any further movement of the back doors 5. In thismanner there is room for the hunter to put his feet on the rungs insidethe anti-trespassing apparatus 1. The front doors 4 can be swung out andback, and then held together by holding device 15. For example, a bungeestrap with S-hooks could be hooked into the first part of the hasp 3 onone of the front doors 4, and then hooked into the second part of thehasp 3 on the other one of the front doors 4. When the hunter is donehunting and/or accessing his tree stand, the hunter locks the back doors5 and then the front doors 4 shut, thereby minimizing or preventingtrespassers from readily accessing his tree stand while he is gone tominimize or prevent unauthorized use of the tree stand, and to minimizeor prevent theft of the tree stand and/or articles stored thereon.

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/147,301 filed Apr. 14, 2016and having inventor Glenn Minerva, is incorporated by reference as ofset forth in its entirety herein.

One feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in amethod of preventing trespassing of a hunter tree stand made by onehunter by another, unauthorized, hunter, said method comprising:constructing a tree stand and ladder structure configured to permitaccess to said tree stand; and installing a door mechanism thatminimizes access to foot supports on said ladder structure.

One feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in amethod of hunting deer and/or other game from a hunting tree stand andpreventing or minimizing trespassing of said hunting tree stand with ahunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1 comprising: twolong vertically, upon installation, disposed members spaced from oneanother at vertically, upon installation, disposed opposite sides ofsaid hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1; two shorterhorizontally, upon installation, disposed members spaced from oneanother at opposite top and bottom ends of said hunting tree standanti-trespassing door structure 1; a first door 4 attached by hinges 6to a first of said two long vertically disposed, upon installation,members; a second door 4 attached by hinges 6 to a second of said twolong vertically disposed, upon installation, members; two shoulderstraps 2 disposed on the same side of said anti-trespassing doorstructure 1 as said two doors 4; said two shoulder straps 2 beingconfigured to permit carrying of said anti-trespassing door structure 1by a person; a first of said two shoulder straps 2 being disposedadjacent hinges 6 of said second door structure 4; a second of said twoshoulder straps 2 being disposed adjacent hinges 6 of said first doorstructure 4; a further long vertically disposed, in use, membersdisposed between said two long vertically disposed, in use, members; afurther short horizontally disposed, in use, member disposed between thesaid long two long vertically disposed, in use, members; said furthershort horizontally disposed, in use, member configured to serve as atleast one rung 52; said at least one rung 52 being configured to act asa support for a climbing foot; at least one angularly configuredpositioning peg 12 being disposed and attached on said further shorthorizontally disposed, in use, and configured to hold said door 4against a tree 50 in use; a strap 15 configured to hold said doorstructure 1 to the tree 50; a hasp structure 3 being disposed andconfigured to lock said two doors 4 with a locking mechanism such as apadlock; and a lower set of climbing pegs 52; and a lower strap 13 tohold said lower climbing pegs 52 to a tree 50 and an upper, additional,set of climbing pegs 52 and an upper strap 15 to hold said upperclimbing pegs 52 to a tree 50, or a single set of climbing pegs 52configured to run up the tree 50 from the ground area to said doorstructure 1 or further to a tree stand; said method comprising:observing movement of the deer and/or other game in an area; choosing alocation to set up a hunting tree stand in said area; carrying a huntingtree stand, said hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1,and climbing pegs 52, to the location chosen and choosing a tree 50 onwhich to install said hunting tree stand, said hunting tree standanti-trespassing structure 1, and said climbing pegs 52; said step ofcarrying comprising engaging said straps 2 on said tree stand doorstructure 1 over the shoulders of a carrier person and carrying saidtree stand door structure 1 to said tree 50 chosen for the installationof said hunting tree stand; installing said lower set of said climbingpegs 52 on the tree 50 up to a height which would be inconvenient for atrespasser to access said hunting tree stand door structure 1; carryingsaid hunting tree stand door structure 1 to said chosen tree 50 usingsaid lower climbing pegs 52 when installed; positioning said huntingtree stand door structure 1 above the installed lower climbing pegs 52;adjusting the position of at least one angularly configured positioningpeg 12 being disposed and attached on said further short horizontallydisposed, in use, against the trunk of said tree 50; attaching saidhunting tree stand door structure 1 to said tree 50; attaching anadditional set of said climbing pegs 52 to the trunk of said tree 50above said hunting tree stand door structure 1; installing a tree standabove the additional climbing pegs 52; climbing up on said rungs 52 ofsaid tree stand door structure 1; testing said tree stand for stability;climbing down from said tree stand using said upper, additional,climbing pegs 52; climbing down from said additional set of saidclimbing pegs 52; testing said tree stand for stability; climbing downfrom said rungs 52 of said tree stand door structure 1; climbing downsaid lower climbing pegs 52 to a position convenient to close said doors4 of said hunting tree stand door structure 1; closing said doors 4 ofsaid hunting tree stand door structure 1; locking said doors 4 of saidhunting tree stand door structure 1; said tree stand door structure 1comprising sides disposed vertically on either side of said tree standdoor structure 1 which vertical sides are sufficiently high and free ofstructures which could be used by a trespasser to climb around said treestand door structure 1; climbing down said lower climbing pegs 52 to theground; approaching, for hunting, said tree 50 with said installed treestand door structure 1 and said installed tree stand; climbing up saidlower climbing pegs 52 to said tree stand door structure 1; using a keyor combination or other means and unlocking said locked doors 4; openingsaid doors 4 and permitting a user of said tree stand to climb up saidrungs 52 of said tree stand door structure 1 by using the pegs 52disposed behind said doors 4 when said doors 4 are closed and locked;climbing up said additional climbing pegs 52 above said tree stand doorstructure 1; placing oneself on the tree stand; observing deer and/orother game from said tree stand; upon sighting of deer and/or othergame, shooting a projectile at said deer and/or other game; upon endinghunting, closing the doors 4 on said tree stand door structure 1;locking said doors 4 on said tree stand door structure 1; climbing downsaid lower, additional, set of climbing pegs 52 to a position convenientto close said doors 4 of said hunting tree stand door structure 1; andclimbing down the remainder of said lower, additional, set of climbingpegs 52 to the ground.

Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1 used for themethod, said hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1comprising: two long vertically, upon installation, disposed membersspaced from one another at vertically, upon installation, disposedopposite sides of said hunting tree stand anti-trespassing doorstructure 1; two shorter horizontally, upon installation, disposedmembers spaced from one another at opposite top and bottom ends of saidhunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1; a first door 4attached by hinges 6 to a first of said two long vertically disposed,upon installation, members; a second door 4 attached by hinges 6 to asecond of said two long vertically disposed, upon installation, members;two shoulder straps 2 disposed on the same side of said anti-trespassingdoor structure 1 as said two doors 4; said two shoulder straps 2 beingconfigured to permit carrying of said anti-trespassing door structure 1by a person; a first of said two shoulder straps 2 being disposedadjacent hinges 6 of said second door structure 4; a second of said twoshoulder straps 2 being disposed adjacent hinges 6 of said first doorstructure 4; a further long vertically disposed, in use, membersdisposed between said two long vertically disposed, in use, members; afurther short horizontally disposed, in use, member disposed between thesaid two long vertically disposed, in use, members; said further shorthorizontally disposed, in use, member configured to serve as at leastone rung 52; said at least one rung 52 being configured to act as asupport for a climbing foot; at least one angularly configuredpositioning peg 12 being disposed and attached on said further shorthorizontally disposed, in use, and configured to hold said door 4against a tree 50 in use; a hasp structure 3 being disposed andconfigured to lock said two doors 4 with a locking mechanism such as apadlock; and a lower, additional, set of climbing pegs 52.

Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin a method of hunting deer and/or other game from a hunting tree standand preventing or minimizing trespassing of said hunting tree stand witha hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1, said methodcomprising: observing movement of the deer and/or other game in an area;choosing a location to set up a hunting tree stand in said area;carrying a hunting tree stand, a hunting tree stand anti-trespassingdoor structure 1, and climbing pegs 52, to the location chosen andchoosing a tree 50 on which to install said hunting tree stand, saidhunting tree stand anti-trespassing structure 1, and said climbing pegs52; installing a lower set of said climbing pegs 52 on the tree 50 up toa height which would be inconvenient for a trespasser to access saidhunting tree stand door structure 1; carrying said hunting tree standdoor structure 1 to said chosen tree 50 and using said lower climbingpegs 52 when installed; positioning said hunting tree stand doorstructure 1 above the installed lower climbing pegs 52; adjusting theposition of at least one angularly configured positioning peg 12 beingdisposed and attached on said further short horizontally disposed, inuse, against the trunk of said tree 50; attaching said hunting treestand door structure 1 to said tree 50; attaching an additional set ofsaid climbing pegs 52 to the trunk of said tree 50 above said huntingtree stand door structure 1; installing said tree stand above theadditional climbing pegs 52; climbing up on rungs 52 of said tree standdoor structure 1; testing said tree stand for stability; climbing downfrom said tree stand using said upper, additional, climbing pegs 52;climbing down from said additional set of said climbing pegs 52; testingsaid tree stand for stability; climbing down from said rungs 52 of saidtree stand door structure 1; climbing down said lower climbing pegs 52to a position convenient to close doors 4 of said hunting tree standdoor structure 1; closing said doors 4 of said hunting tree stand doorstructure 1; locking said doors 4 of said hunting tree stand doorstructure 1; said tree stand door structure 1 comprising sides disposedvertically on either side of said tree stand door structure 1 whichvertical sides are sufficiently high and free of structures which couldbe used by a trespasser to climb around said tree stand door structure1; climbing down said lower climbing pegs 52 to the ground; approaching,for hunting, said tree 50 with said installed tree stand door structure1 and said installed tree stand; climbing up said lower climbing pegs 52to said tree stand door structure 1; using a key or combination or othermeans and unlocking said locked doors 4; opening said doors 4 andpermitting a user of said tree stand to climb up said rungs 52 of saidtree stand door structure 1 by using the pegs 52 disposed behind saiddoors 4 when said doors 4 are closed and locked; climbing up saidadditional climbing pegs 52 above said tree stand door structure 1;placing oneself on the tree stand; observing deer and/or other game fromsaid tree stand; upon sighting of deer and/or other game, shooting aprojectile at said deer and/or other game; upon ending hunting, closingthe doors 4 on said tree stand door structure 1; locking said doors 4 onsaid tree stand door structure 1; climbing down said lower, additional,set of climbing pegs 52 to a position convenient to close said doors 4of said hunting tree stand door structure 1; and climbing down theremainder of said lower, additional, set of climbing pegs 52 to theground.

Still another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin the method of hunting deer and/or other game from a hunting treestand and preventing or minimizing trespassing of said hunting treestand with a hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1,wherein said step of carrying comprising engaging straps 2 on said treestand door structure 1 over the shoulders of a carrier person andcarrying said tree stand door structure 1 to said tree 50 chosen for theinstallation of said hunting tree stand 1.

A further feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at thetime of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadlyin a method of hunting deer and/or other game from a hunting tree standand preventing or minimizing trespassing of said hunting tree stand witha hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1, said methodcomprising: observing movement of the deer and/or other game in an area;choosing a location to set up a hunting tree stand in said area;carrying a hunting tree stand, a hunting tree stand anti-trespassingdoor structure 1, and climbing pegs 52, to the location chosen andchoosing a tree 50 on which to install said hunting tree stand 15, saidhunting tree stand anti-trespassing structure 1, and said climbing pegs52; said step of carrying comprising engaging straps 2 on said treestand door structure 1 over the shoulders of a carrier person andcarrying said tree stand door structure 1 to said tree 50 chosen for theinstallation of said hunting tree stand; installing a lower set of saidclimbing pegs 52 on the tree 50 up to a height which would beinconvenient for a trespasser to access said hunting tree stand doorstructure 1; carrying said hunting tree stand door structure 1 to saidchosen tree 50 and using said lower climbing pegs 52 when installed;positioning said hunting tree stand door structure 1 above the installedlower climbing pegs 52; adjusting the position of said tree stand doorstructure 1, against the trunk of said tree 50; attaching said huntingtree stand door structure 1 to said tree 50; attaching an additional setof said climbing pegs 52 to the trunk of said tree 50 above said huntingtree stand door structure 1; installing said tree stand above theadditional climbing pegs 52; climbing up on rungs 52 of said tree standdoor structure 1; testing said tree stand for stability; climbing downfrom said tree stand using said upper, additional, climbing pegs 52;climbing down from said rungs 52 of said tree stand door structure 1;climbing down said lower climbing pegs 52 to a position convenient toclose doors 4 of said hunting tree stand door structure 1; closing saiddoors 4 of said hunting tree stand door structure 1; locking said doors4 of said hunting tree stand door structure 1; said tree stand doorstructure 1 comprising sides disposed vertically on either side of saidtree stand door structure 1 which vertical sides are sufficiently highand free of structures which could be used by a trespasser to climbaround said tree stand door structure 1; climbing down said lowerclimbing pegs 52 to the ground; approaching, for hunting, said tree 50with said installed tree stand door structure 1 and said installed treestand; climbing up said lower climbing pegs 52 to said tree stand doorstructure 1; using a key or combination or other means and unlockingsaid locked doors 4; opening said doors 4 and using said tree stand toclimb up using said rungs 52 of said tree stand door structure 1disposed behind said doors 4 when said doors 4 are closed and locked;climbing up said additional climbing pegs 52 above said tree stand doorstructure 1; placing oneself on the tree stand; observing deer and/orother game from said tree stand; upon sighting of deer and/or othergame, shooting a projectile at said deer and/or other game; upon endinghunting: climbing down from said tree stand 51 using said upper,additional, climbing pegs 52; climbing down from said rungs 52 of saidtree stand door structure 1; closing the doors 4 on said tree stand doorstructure 1; locking said doors 4 on said tree stand door structure 1;climbing down said lower, additional, set of climbing pegs 52 to aposition convenient to close said doors 4 of said hunting tree standdoor structure 1; and climbing down the remainder of said lower,additional, set of climbing pegs 52 to the ground.

Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1 used for themethod, said hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1comprising: two long vertically, upon installation, disposed membersspaced from one another at vertically, upon installation, disposedopposite sides of said hunting tree stand anti-trespassing doorstructure 1; two shorter horizontally, upon installation, disposedmembers spaced from one another at opposite top and bottom ends of saidhunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure 1; a first door 4attached by hinge structures 6 to a first of said two long verticallydisposed, upon installation, members; a second door 4 attached by hingestructures 6 to a second of said two long vertically disposed, uponinstallation, members; at least one rung structure 52 disposed behindsaid doors 4 upon said doors 4 being closed; said at least one rung 52being configured to act as a support for a climbing foot; a lockingstructure 3 being disposed and configured to lock said two doors 4 witha locking mechanism such as a padlock.

The components disclosed in the patents, patent applications, patentpublications, and other documents disclosed or incorporated by referenceherein, may possibly be used in possible exemplifications of the presentinvention, as well as equivalents thereof.

The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally toenable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The description of the technical field is believed, at thetime of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describethe technical field of this patent application. However, the descriptionof the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims asoriginally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statementsmade relating to the technical field are not intended to limit theclaims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting theclaims in any manner.

The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions,proportions and/or shapes in at least one exemplification of theinvention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into thisspecification.

The background information is believed, at the time of the filing ofthis patent application, to adequately provide background informationfor this patent application. However, the background information may notbe completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in thispatent application, as amended during prosecution of this patentapplication, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from thispatent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to thebackground information are not intended to limit the claims in anymanner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in anymanner.

All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the variousexemplifications may be used with at least one exemplification or all ofthe exemplifications, if more than one exemplification is describedherein.

The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generallyto enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The description of the object or objects is believed, atthe time of the filing of this patent application, to adequatelydescribe the object or objects of this patent application. However, thedescription of the object or objects may not be completely applicable tothe claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amendedduring prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowedin any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, anystatements made relating to the object or objects are not intended tolimit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limitingthe claims in any manner.

All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and otherdocuments cited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, arehereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entiretyherein except for the exceptions indicated herein.

The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patentapplication, to adequately summarize this patent application. However,portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not becompletely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patentapplication, as amended during prosecution of this patent application,and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patentapplication. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary arenot intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not beinterpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

It will be understood that the examples of patents, patent applications,patent publications, and other documents which are included in thisapplication and which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Someexamples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possibleexemplification of the present application . . . ” may possibly not beused or useable in any one or more exemplifications of the application.

The sentence immediately above relates to patents, patent applications,patent publications, and other documents either incorporated byreference or not incorporated by reference.

The following patents, patent publications, and patent documents areincorporated herein except for the exceptions indicated herein: U.S.2010/0236865; U.S. 2005/0241199; U.S. Pat. No. 8,132,647; U.S. Pat. No.7,793,759; U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,674; U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,755; U.S.5,441,126; U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,428; U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,977; U.S. Pat.No. 4,579,197; U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,195; U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,206; U.S.Pat. No. 3,968,857; U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,772; U.S. Pat. No. 3,311,195;U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,863; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,880,829.

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/147,301, filed on Apr. 14,2015, having the title “A METHOD OF PREVENTING OR MINIMIZING TRESPASSINGOF A HUNTING TREE STAND AND AN APPARATUS THEREFOR”, is herebyincorporated by reference herein except for the exceptions indicatedherein.

All of the references and documents cited in any of the patents, patentapplications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein,except for the exceptions indicated herein, are hereby incorporated byreference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for theexceptions indicated herein. All of the patents, patent applications,patent publications, and other documents cited herein, referred to inthe immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patentapplications, patent publications, and other documents cited anywhere inthe present application.

Words relating to the opinions and judgments of the author of allpatents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documentscited herein and not directly relating to the technical details of thedescription of the exemplifications therein are not incorporated byreference.

The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee,particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly,avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only,perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total,unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to theabove-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describetechnical features of one or more exemplifications of the patents,patent applications, patent publications, and other documents, are notconsidered to be incorporated by reference herein for any of thepatents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documentscited herein.

The description of the exemplification or exemplifications is believed,at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequatelydescribe the exemplification or exemplifications of this patentapplication. However, portions of the description of the exemplificationor exemplifications may not be completely applicable to the claims asoriginally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statementsmade relating to the exemplification or exemplifications are notintended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpretedas limiting the claims in any manner.

The details in the patents, patent applications, patent publications,and other documents cited herein may be considered to be incorporable,at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as furtherlimitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claimsfrom any applied prior art.

The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally toenable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of thispatent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of thispatent application. However, the title may not be completely applicableto the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, thedescription of the exemplification or exemplifications, and the claimsas originally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is notintended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpretedas limiting the claims in any manner.

The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b):

-   -   A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the        specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably        following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the        Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent        and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine        quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the        technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for        interpreting the scope of the claims.        Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not        intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be        interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The exemplifications of the invention described herein above in thecontext of the preferred exemplifications are not to be taken aslimiting the exemplifications of the invention to all of the provideddetails thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplifications ofthe invention.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structurecomprising: a frame comprising longer members spaced apart and disposedessentially parallel to one another, and shorter members spaced apartand disposed essentially parallel to one another, which said shortermembers are disposed transverse to said longer members; said shortermembers being configured to serve as climbing rungs to support a foot ofa climber to permit climbing on said hunting tree stand anti-trespassingdoor structure; a lockable door arrangement being attached to saidframe; said door arrangement being movable with respect to said framebetween a closed position in which said door arrangement covers at leastsaid shorter members to prevent access by a trespasser to at least saidshorter members, and an open position in which said door arrangement ismoved away from said shorter members to permit access by a climber to atleast said shorter members; said frame comprising a first connectingstructure disposed at a first end of said frame, and a second connectingstructure disposed at a second end of said frame, opposite said firstend of said frame; and said first connecting structure being configuredto be connected to a climbing stick, and said second connectingstructure being configured to be connected to an additional climbingstick, to thereby form a tree-climbing structure.
 10. The hunting treestand anti-trespassing door structure according to claim 9, wherein: thehunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure further comprises asupporting piece connected to said frame and configured to brace saidframe on a trunk of a tree; and said supporting piece is disposed toproject away from said frame and configured to space said frame adistance from a trunk of a tree.
 11. The hunting tree standanti-trespassing door structure according to claim 10, wherein: saidframe comprises a front side configured to face away from a tree uponinstallation of the hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure,and a back side configured to face toward a tree upon installation ofthe hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure; said doorarrangement is disposed on said front side of said frame; the huntingtree stand anti-trespassing door structure further comprises first andsecond back doors attached to said frame and disposed on said back sideof said frame; and said back doors are movable with respect to saidframe between a closed position in which said back doors cover at leastone of said shorter members to prevent access by a trespasser to said atleast one of said shorter members from said back side of said frame, andan open position in which said back doors are moved away from said atleast one of said shorter members to provide sufficient space for aclimber to place his foot on said at least one of said shorter members.12. The hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure according toclaim 11, wherein: the hunting tree stand anti-trespassing doorstructure further comprises carrying straps attached to said frame; andsaid carrying straps are configured to permit carrying of said huntingtree stand anti-trespassing door structure by a person.
 13. The huntingtree stand anti-trespassing door structure according to claim 12,wherein: said door arrangement comprises first and second doors; saidfirst door is attached by hinges to one of said longer members; and saidsecond door is attached by hinges to another one of said longer members.14. The hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure according toclaim 9, wherein: said frame comprises a front side configured to faceaway from a tree upon installation of the hunting tree standanti-trespassing door structure, and a back side configured to facetoward a tree upon installation of the hunting tree standanti-trespassing door structure; said door arrangement is disposed onsaid front side of said frame; the hunting tree stand anti-trespassingdoor structure further comprises first and second back doors attached tosaid frame and disposed on said back side of said frame; and said backdoors are movable with respect to said frame between a closed positionin which said back doors cover at least one of said shorter members toprevent access by a trespasser to said at least one of said shortermembers from said back side of said frame, and an open position in whichsaid back doors are moved away from said at least one of said shortermembers to provide sufficient space for a climber to place his foot onsaid at least one of said shorter members.
 15. The hunting tree standanti-trespassing door structure according to claim 9, wherein: thehunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure further comprisescarrying straps attached to said frame; and said carrying straps areconfigured to permit carrying of said hunting tree standanti-trespassing door structure by a person.
 16. The hunting tree standanti-trespassing door structure according to claim 9, wherein: said doorarrangement comprises first and second doors; said first door isattached by hinges to one of said longer members; and said second dooris attached by hinges to another one of said longer members.
 17. Thehunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure according to claim 9,in combination with a first climbing stick and a second climbing stick.18. A method of using a hunting tree stand anti-trespassing doorstructure according to claim 9, said method comprising the steps of:connecting said first connecting structure to a first climbing stick,and connecting said second connecting structure to a second climbingstick, and thereby forming a tree-climbing structure; placing saidtree-climbing structure against a tree in which a hunting tree stand islocated; moving said door arrangement to said open position; climbing upsaid tree-climbing structure by climbing up on said first climbingstick, then climbing up on said shorter members of said frame, and thenclimbing up on said second climbing stick; accessing said hunting treestand; climbing down said tree-climbing structure by climbing down onsaid second climbing stick, then climbing down on said shorter membersof said frame, and then climbing down on said first climbing stick;moving said door arrangement to said closed position; and locking saiddoor arrangement in said closed position and thereby preventing accessto at least said shorter members by a trespasser.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein: the hunting tree stand anti-trespassingdoor structure further comprises a supporting piece connected to saidframe and configured to brace said frame on a trunk of a tree; saidsupporting piece is disposed to project away from said frame andconfigured to space said frame a distance from a trunk of a tree; saidstep of placing said tree-climbing structure against the tree in whichthe hunting tree stand is located comprises placing said supportingpiece against the trunk of the tree, and thereby spacing said frame adistance from the trunk of the tree.
 20. The method according to claim19, wherein: said frame comprises a front side configured to face awayfrom a tree upon installation of the hunting tree stand anti-trespassingdoor structure, and a back side configured to face toward a tree uponinstallation of the hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure;said door arrangement is disposed on said front side of said frame; thehunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure further comprisesfirst and second back doors attached to said frame and disposed on saidback side of said frame; said back doors are movable with respect tosaid frame between a closed position in which said back doors cover atleast one of said shorter members to prevent access by a trespasser tosaid at least one of said shorter members from said back side of saidframe, and an open position in which said back doors are moved away fromsaid at least one of said shorter members to provide sufficient spacefor a climber to place his foot on said at least one of said shortermembers; said method further comprises moving said back doors away fromat least one of said shorter members and into contact with the trunk ofthe tree and thereby: providing sufficient space for the climber toplace his foot on said at least one of said shorter members; andrestricting or preventing access by a trespasser to said at least one ofsaid shorter members from said back side of said frame.
 21. The methodaccording to claim 20, wherein: the hunting tree stand anti-trespassingdoor structure further comprises carrying straps attached to said frame;said carrying straps are configured to permit carrying of said huntingtree stand anti-trespassing door structure by a person; and said methodfurther comprises carrying said frame by said carrying straps to thetree in which the hunting tree stand is located.
 22. The methodaccording to claim 21, wherein: said door arrangement comprises firstand second doors; said first door is attached by hinges to one of saidlonger members; said second door is attached by hinges to another one ofsaid longer members; and said step of moving said door arrangement tosaid open position comprises pivoting each of said first and seconddoors away from said shorter members.
 23. The method according to claim18, wherein: said frame comprises a front side configured to face awayfrom a tree upon installation of the hunting tree stand anti-trespassingdoor structure, and a back side configured to face toward a tree uponinstallation of the hunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure;said door arrangement is disposed on said front side of said frame; thehunting tree stand anti-trespassing door structure further comprisesfirst and second back doors attached to said frame and disposed on saidback side of said frame; said back doors are movable with respect tosaid frame between a closed position in which said back doors cover atleast one of said shorter members to prevent access by a trespasser tosaid at least one of said shorter members from said back side of saidframe, and an open position in which said back doors are moved away fromsaid at least one of said shorter members to provide sufficient spacefor a climber to place his foot on said at least one of said shortermembers; said method further comprises moving said back doors away fromat least one of said shorter members and into contact with the trunk ofthe tree and thereby: providing sufficient space for the climber toplace his foot on said at least one of said shorter members; andrestricting or preventing access by a trespasser to said at least one ofsaid shorter members from said back side of said frame.
 24. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein: the hunting tree stand anti-trespassingdoor structure further comprises carrying straps attached to said frame;said carrying straps are configured to permit carrying of said huntingtree stand anti-trespassing door structure by a person; and said methodfurther comprises carrying said frame by said carrying straps to thetree in which the hunting tree stand is located.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein: said door arrangement comprises firstand second doors; said first door is attached by hinges to one of saidlonger members; said second door is attached by hinges to another one ofsaid longer members; and said step of moving said door arrangement tosaid open position comprises pivoting each of said first and seconddoors away from said shorter members.
 26. A method of using a huntingtree stand anti-trespassing door structure according to claim 17, saidmethod comprising the steps of: connecting said first connectingstructure to said first climbing stick, and connecting said secondconnecting structure to said second climbing stick, and thereby forminga tree-climbing structure; placing said tree-climbing structure againsta tree in which a hunting tree stand is located; moving said doorarrangement to said open position; climbing up said tree-climbingstructure by climbing up on said first climbing stick, then climbing upon said shorter members of said frame, and then climbing up on saidsecond climbing stick; accessing said hunting tree stand; climbing downsaid tree-climbing structure by climbing down on said second climbingstick, then climbing down on said shorter members of said frame, andthen climbing down on said first climbing stick; moving said doorarrangement to said closed position; and locking said door arrangementin said closed position and thereby preventing access to at least saidshorter members by a trespasser.